Tag Archives: spiritual discernment

Karen’s contact lens crumbled between her fingertips as she tried to clean it. The lens was just too brittle. For years, Karen had put off visiting her optometrist, now she had no choice. She needed replacements. Besides, her vision was already limited, especially when driving at night. The next day the doctor prescribed new contacts and Karen could see clearly again.

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized (Acts 9:18).

Karen did not realize how cloudy her vision had become. Saul came to a similar revelation after receiving prayer from Ananias. Not only did his eyesight return, Saul’s spiritual perception improved too. The first thing he saw was his need for water baptism.

Water baptism is an open expression of our newfound faith in Christ. If we have passed from spiritual darkness into the light, then we should demonstrate that change to others. Baptism is a good start.

Thought for Today: There are two baptisms: The Holy Spirit imparts one; the church conducts the other.

Another encouraging post by Yamina from Faith, Love, Soul. And I agree with her: “When you least expect it, God will help you, He will restore you, He will send you the people meant to help you through your journey.” So . . . Never Say [Never].

Never say that all the flowers are dead, the winter has killed them, they are gone.

No! Although the winter has covered them with a white coat of snow, in the spring they will begin to sprout again and blossom even brighter than before.

Never say the sun is not there just because the clouds have hidden it.

No! The sun is still there, planning to shine for you once again. It is planning on shining so bright, that the clouds will drop its rain and blue skies will appear once again.

Never say my troubles will never leave, no one understands me, my affliction is here to stay.

No! When you least expect it God will help you, He will restore you, he will send you the people meant to help you through your journey. And once you get back up, standing on both feet, you will rejoice and…

I was reminded again this weekend of the power found in our story. God is able to take and redeem the most difficult of experiences and situations and bring about something beautiful amidst the pain. If you have experienced pain, loss, disappointment – that experience is not void of purpose. Understanding the journey of pain wont solve your pressure in this moment. It will perhaps reveal something of God’s leading in your life and how God might use you down the road.

There seems to be a process to our pain: Pain – Sadness – Comfort – Redemption. Each of these have a season where they become prominent in our lives. Knowing the process of pain does not make suffering any easier. It simply gives vision for what is to come.

Pain is the first and most obvious stage in the process. Whether it comes in the form of trauma or…

After a two-week vacation with his family, Pastor Dave returned to the pulpit. It didn’t take long for negative reports to filter in. Some members stayed away from services because Pastor Dave was not preaching or they didn’t think his associate should perform the baptismal service during his absence.

Obviously, people have personal preferences and loyalties—there’s nothing wrong with such things—but following one person’s ministry exclusively while rejecting others can lead to divisions in the church.

What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:12, 13).

We are not saved in the name of a gifted evangelist, nor baptized in the name of our favorite pastor. Although church leaders are important, we should not center our attention upon them. Rather, we should focus on the Lord.

Challenge for Today: [Next Sunday] don’t dwell on the qualifications of the speaker, open your heart to receive from God.

There have been times when I thought I wouldn’t make it. Times when I thought I didn’t have enough strength left within me to take whatever I was going through any longer. Times when life didn’t seem fair. Times when I wanted to throw in the towel, walk out of the door, and give up. Times when all I could do was cry out to my Heavenly Father, “Help me! I need you!”

But as I reflect, it was during the difficult times that God showed me His compassion and wisdom. Although I could not physically see His presence, He dried every one of my tears with the warmth of His Holy Spirit. He listened with open ears when no one else seemed to care or understand. And, He would always ask me the same question, “If you give up now, what will you do when tomorrow comes?”

Charles was new to Full Gospel Tabernacle. He often heard people praying in different languages. He was not against it, although it annoyed him at times. Speaking with other tongues didn’t fit his doctrine. Besides, what purpose did it serve? He still prayed, right? Wasn’t that good enough?

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).

Phil, a deacon at church, sensed his frustration. He suggested that Charles take a second look at the Scriptures concerning the Holy Spirit, then pray about it for a while. Phil even gave him a list of verses. A few weeks later, something powerful happened. Charles was baptized in the Holy Spirit and began praying in a language he had never learned. Experiencing the power of God firsthand changed Charles’ perspective on tongues.

It helps to know all the Scriptures concerning an issue, but we also need to know the power of God. The Scriptures and the Spirit of God work in harmony to confirm truth. When we leave one of them out, doctrinal errors can occur.

Prayer Suggestion: Take your Bible to prayer. Let God’s Word enlighten you while His power touches you.